Research and Academic Affairs Council Meeting Notes

Research and Academic Affairs Notes

Monday, October 9, 2006

 Susan Allen:

1.  Classroom Utilization Report from SIS:  There have been conflicts with FAMIS information being accurate.  These errors need to be corrected and the information eventually entered into Banner.  Attendees were asked to review the document, check class maximums, numbering of classrooms, etc. and make corrections and brief notes of other activities going on in the classroom.  The reports will be sent out by Susan Allen and should be returned by Monday, October 16.

Greg Thornburg

2.  The Ballroom and more seminar spaces for groups of 100-200 people are being finished on the 3^rd floor of the Reng Center, which will be available soon.  These areas are available for tours now.

Susan Allen

3.  It’s possible that within 3-5 years the Museum will be moved to the outer fringe of campus to provide more public access.
4.  The Master plan was distributed and attendees were asked to make comments by Monday 10/16/06 to Susan Allen and copy Evone Roberts.  Only appropriate questions should be addressed.  Not all questions will apply.
5.  Discussion has surfaced again of a 4 ½-day work week, which will not work for all areas.  The university needs to be staffed on Friday afternoons.  Supervisors have the discretion to provide options of a 4 or 4 ½-day work week for their employees.
6. Dr. Marti Allen, the new director of the museum, was introduced.

Robin Hicks

7. Winter Break:  ASU employees will be assessed four days of vacation time, unless a justification is written to Janet Hardin in Payroll if you work over the holidays.

Lynita Cooksey

8. Strategic Plan:  Early Submissions were distributed to assist units as example work.  Plans are due November 1, to Lynita Cooksey.

Robin Hicks

9. An Office Effectiveness Plan is underway in RAA.  RAA has been working to improve efficiencies and changing the way some things have been done.  Some areas of focus have been:  work monitored in the office, timely decisions, prompt response, getting closure, better communication, priorities identified from the VCRAA, removing redundancy, and delegating if necessary.  Please let someone in RAA know if there are areas which need improvement in effectiveness or efficiency.

Susan Allen

10. College Goals:  Susan Allen hopes to not have a College Goals documents for the 2007-2007 academic year, but instead use the strategic plan to evaluate performance for deans and directors with a report in January of self-assessment.

 Announcements:

1. Russ Shain – Hopes to develop the Reading Room into a virtual reading room.  The college has received a grant for $25,000 from alumni to move forward with this initiative.
2. Andy Sustich – Received a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) dissertation fellowship for five years.
3. Greg Thornburg – A) Jim Black, enrollment management consultant will be on campus December 4 and 5 for a check-up/review.  B)  An out-of-state tuition scholarship has been approved by the Board of Trustees, which will be marketed with alumni and athletics to protect tuition revenue.
4. Greg Phillips – A) The Farmer’s Market will be closing at the end of October and will probably resume in March or April.  Petting zoo and open house is Oct. 21.  B)  Engineering is restructuring the technology program.
5. Jerry Farris – A) Drs. Vanderpool and McCay received a grant, which will involve work with the high schools.  B)  A student robotics competition will be held on campus, which will be a recruiting opportunity for approximately 1000 students.
6. Gil Fowler – If areas have honors classes, let him know, so he can fit students.
7. Beth Hood – A) The Kay’s Foundation had 41 proposals.  $20,000 will be awarded by December 2006, and another $20,000 in 2007.  B)  RTT is setting up training sessions for budget template development for major funding units, which will populate agency spreadsheets and transfer into Banner.
8. George Grant – The Library has installed discipline-specific software, which is available in Library 225 for campus users after hours.  If departments need other software placed in the Library, please contact George Grant.  B)  The library is premiering “ASU First”, in a new small lecture/guest speaker area, which will seat up to 60 people.  They hope to schedule book review, speakers, etc.  Stop by and see the exhibit opening.
9. Marti Allen – The museum will be moving toward a more academic nature with more programming, possibly to support a museum studies Ph.d. program in future.
10. Al Romero – There are two meetings scheduled for chairs:  Banner and Strategic Resolution for Problems in Departments.
11. Ruth Hawkins – The Southern Tenant Farmers Museum is having its grand opening in Tyronza.
12. Susan Allen – Will be starting to schedule meetings with departments.